32 U.S. Olympians to watch at the Milan Cortina Games - ESPN

On Friday, the opening ceremonies of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics will kick off and, for the first time, include simultaneous cauldron lightings in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo and athlete parades in four locations. The Games will showcase more than 2,900 athletes, in 15 venues throughout northern Italy. Some Olympians you'll remember — and some you'll want to know. Here are 32 U.S. Olympians to watch.

When to watch: Men's short program, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 12:30 p.m. ET; Men's free skate, Fri. Feb. 13, 1 p.m. ET

What to know: Nicknamed the «Quad God,» 21-year-old Malinin is the only skater to have successfully landed a quadruple axel in competition, and performs a record-setting seven quad jumps in his current free skate. With skills no one else on the planet can match, and a showstopping backflip just for fun, Malinin doesn't just win titles, he dominates. A two-time world champion and winner of four consecutive national titles, he hasn't lost a competition since 2023. — D'Arcy Maine

When to watch: Women's short program, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 12:45 p.m. ET; Women's free skate, Thursday, Feb. 19, 1 p.m. ET

What to know: At 26 years old, Glenn is the oldest woman to make the U.S. team in singles in 98 years. A three-time national champion, Glenn has become famous for her triple axel and is one of just a few women capable of completing the jump. She's expected to also compete in the team event, in addition to the individual competition. — Maine

When to watch: Women's short program, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 12:45 p.m. ET; Women's free skate, Thursday, Feb. 19, 1 p.m. ET

What to know: Liu, now 20, won her first national championship at just 13 and made her Olympic debut as a 16-year-old in Beijing in 2022. After a sixth-place finish